Why Windows 8 is Microsoft's most vital launch in years — Microsoft Windows was a fact of life for an entire generation raised on the PC. But we live in a different world now, and perhaps nothing underscores how much that world has changed more than the fact that the version of Windows …

Helpful Tips For Keeping Your Job As Editor Of Techcrunch — I rarely get writers block, but I've aborted multiple attempts to write about the leadership change at TechCrunch yesterday. So I'm going to keep it simple. — I'm exceptionally bummed that so many people have left TechCrunch.

Apple Loophole Gives Developers Access to Photos — Developers of applications for Apple's mobile devices, and Apple itself, came under scrutiny this month after reports that some apps were taking people's address book information without their knowledge. — As it turns out, address books are not the only things up for grabs.

HP lays off 275 employees from webOS division — We've just received word that HP has laid off more than 270 employees from its webOS division as it “no longer needs many of the engineering and other related positions that it required before.” This follows just behind the departure …

Google once considered issuing currency — After discovering legal hurdles, it ditched the idea of ‘Google Bucks’ — Google once considered issuing its own currency, to be called Google Bucks, company Chairman Eric Schmidt said on stage in Barcelona at the Mobile World Congress Tuesday.

More feds ditch BlackBerrys — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is planning to start the process of ditching Research in Motion's signature BlackBerry wireless phone largely in favor of the iPhone, the agency's top tech official told POLITICO.

Scoop: Less than 1M Google TV devices in use — It's widely known Google TV hasn't exactly been a success story. Early CE partner Logitech lost millions on the device, and consumer feedback was mostly negative after the first devices reached the market in late 2010.

Facebook claims you're playing games you aren't playing — Summary: Facebook recommends games to you based on what your friends are playing. Unfortunately, the Discover New Games module is lying: it often claims your friends are playing games they aren't. — Facebook's “Discover New Games” algorithm is broken.

5 smartphone trends at Mobile World Congress — The key characteristics of new mobile devices are bigger, faster, or cheaper — Big smartphone vendors such as High Tech Computer (HTC) and LG Electronics are trying to get their mojo back after some challenging times, and they hope …

Bing Maps and Nokia Release Unified Map Design — Last year, we entered into a strategic partnership with Nokia which included plans to offer a unique and compelling mapping experience for our customers. Since then we've been working with Nokia and Windows Phone to deliver a unified map style based …

Marvel graphic novels available on Apple's iBookstore — Marvel graphic novels available on Apple's iBookstore — Marvel on Tuesday announced that more than 80 of its graphic novels are now available on Apple's iBookstore. — According to Marvel, Civil War, Avengers, Stephen King's Dark Tower …

The Forgotten Founder: YouSendIt's Khalid Shaikh — In Silicon Valley offices, the framed founder's doodle is as common as jewel-toned furniture and quirky conference-room names. But there's something peculiar about the drawing hanging in the colorful lobby at YouSendIt …

The Pirate Bay, Now Without Torrents — As announced a few weeks ago, The Pirate Bay has now largely stopped serving torrents. — Today, all torrent files being shared by more than 10 people have been replaced by so-called magnet links. — This means that instead of downloading …